The Inverted Dragon's Scale

Li Muyang had just arrived home, but Lu Qingming already knew of the debate topic. Even if they said that there was no member of the Lu family invited to the Still water dew gathering, Li Muyang still found it impossible to believe.

Of course, presumably Song Tao or the Second Prince Chu Jiang, who directly threw out this debate topic, did not plan to conceal it.

Moreover, Li Muyang felt that there must be a deep significance for Chu Jiang to publicly throw out such a controversial topic? Did he want to warn the opponent or to see how the wind blows?

It was also possible for it to be both.

Now Lu Qingming was not asleep in the middle of the night, but told a person to come over to invite him over to answer this question. What was the meaning of all this? Could his opinion and choice affect the political direction of the Kingdom?

Li Muyang walked over to Lu Qingming and bowed respectfully with hands held in front. “Military and imperial power, are both for the citizens. Soldiers are stationed in the frontier to defend the country and protect the citizens. The imperial power was situated in the center to enlighten all people, so that the people have food and clothing, happiness and good health. Without the military, there would be invasion of foreign races, we would lose our borders, and our territory slowly taken away. The people would be in misery. Without imperial power, there would be confused fighting between the warlords, bandits riot, and endless fights. The people would be in poverty.”

Li Muyang asked in reply: “Military and imperial power complement one another, they are one. What is more important? What is less important?”

Lu Qingming nodded thoughtfully, “Yes. Muyang is an understanding person.”

“Other people don’t understand?”

“Others certainly understand.” Lu Qingming said with a smile, invited Li Muyang inside the pavilion, and presented him with a cup of wine. “Have a cup of wine to warm the body.”

“Thank you Uncle Lu.” Li Muyang received the cup and drank the wine in one gulp.

Lu Qingming refilled Li Muyang’s cup, smiled and said, “those that can climb to that position, which one is not an extremely bright person? After years of being in the official circle, what would they not understand? They just don’t want to understand. Whether it is military or imperial power, or any other power, the most important thing is to see who is wielding this power and in whose hands is the power in——In your hands, it is naturally not important. In the hands of those on your side, it is naturally important.”

Li Muyang knitted his brows. “Uncle Lu, what is the second Prince intention of throwing out such a question?”

“Firstly, to find out the how the wind blows. Still water dew is an assembly of the younger generation of the aristocratic family of Tiandu. To a certain extent, they can replace his clan. The Second Prince asked this question to see the way the wind is blowing, to see everyone’s manner towards the West Wind Chu clan.”

“Secondly, to test the water. Still water dew is an informal gathering of nobles, but the happenings of the gathering will soon be passed out through the mouths of the youngsters. At this hour, presumably the families that have received the news are already beginning to discuss this matter.”

“Thirdly, a warning. The Second Prince Chu Jiang has spoken clearly. Is imperial power more important or is military more important? This was obviously an attack on the Lu family for holding tightly onto the military power and won’t let go. It is like a huge sword raise high up and lunge down at the top of the Lu family’s head. If the Lu family is smart enough, it is time to lay down the weapons and surrender, and hand over all the military power in hand.”

Lu Qingming gulped down the cup of wine in one before he continued in a heavy voice. “This afternoon the Emperor summoned the Office of Military and Political Affairs and a number of old ministers to Yangxin Palace Hall. It is said the old man of the Song family who rarely steps into the city also attended the meeting. All servants in the hall were asked to leave and only Senior Chamberlain Li Fu was allowed to stay—After the meeting Second Prince Chu Jiang rushed to the Still water dew gathering and threw out such that question.”

Li Muyang couldn’t help but begin to worry about the Lu family. So many people wanted to get rid of the Lu family, including the Emperor of this huge Kingdom. Could the Lu family withstand such an onslaught?

“If the Lu family cannot withstand this, should I take my parents and sister to escape first——is this too ungrateful?”

Li Muyang never thought that he would be involved in this sort of political struggle, and even more did not think that this kind of matter would endanger the lives of his parents and families.

Li Muyang felt very distressed. He was just an ordinary Starry Sky student, why was his life so difficult?

“Uncle Lu, are they going to act soon?”

“Maybe.” Lu Qingming’s expression was hesitant when he nodded.

“The Lu family——can withstand?” Li Muyang asked softly. “They have the rights, if they acted, would the Lu family be more passive?”

“It is always a battle with no victory.” Lu Qingming did not try to conceal anything from Li Muyang, saying frankly. “It is just a case of losing more or less.”

“How much is a big loss?”

“All eliminated in one sweep, uprooted.”

“How much is a little loss?”

“All eliminated in one sweep, the torso severed.”

“There’s no other way?” ”

“There is.” Lu Qingming said. “As they wish, hand back all military power, Father go to Yangxin palace hall to apologise, and the Lu family retreat back to the Wind city.”

Li Muyang knew that the Lu family started at the Wind city. After a generation of efforts, fighting on the battlefield, and blood-soaked struggles, they eventually grew to one of the most influential and most powerful family in the entire kingdom.

The Lu Clan’s ancestral home was still in the Wind City, and the Tiandu’s Lu family often send people back to visit. If the Lu Clan returned to the Wind city, thousands of years of efforts would come to nothing, and the sacrifice of countless ancestors would be meaningless.

This was indeed a difficult choice. Even the head of the Lu family Lu Xingkong, he most likely would not so easily let go of the power in his hands.

Besides, if they surrender their military power, they would lose the ability to defend themselves. At that time they would be like meat on somebody’s chopping board, being trampled on. 。

Li Muyang had discussed this topic with Old grandfather Lu Xingkong before, so this time he no longer did the foolish thing of trying to persuade them to let go of their power. If the Lu family surrendered their power, then would he need to protect the great Lu family and the people under their command?

If you win you are the king, if you lose you are nothing. This was a tragic proverb.

“The Lu family will have a way to fight back right?”

“Of course.” Lu Qingming said, nodding. “Even if you know something is impossible, you still need to try. You have to let people know the value of your existence, then they will really value you, care about you, and fear of you.”

Li Muyang nodded, everyone understand this principle. But now everybody was eyeing on the Lu family this piece of fatty meat, what kind of thing should the Lu family do to make those people really fear of them?

“Revolt?”

These words suddenly surface onto Li Muyang’s mind.

He became a little nervous, could the Lu family be thinking of keeping the military and defying orders from the Emperor and overthrow the West wind Chu clan?

If the Lu family were successful, who will be the emperor at that time?

If the Lu family failed, then——he needed to think of a plan to take his family to escape.

He looked up at the Lu Qingming’s face, wanting to find some clues from Lu Qingming’s eyes. But Lu Qingming kept a peaceful look on his face, without revealing any flaws.

When Lu Qingyu finished his cup of wine in one gulp again, Li Muyang could not help but urge, “Uncle Lu, drink less.”

After the journey back to Tiandu together, Li Muyang became very fond of this elder who protected his soldiers and took care of him. Li Muyang had always felt that his expression was very strange when he looked at him, but he thought it might be because he saved his life.

Moreover, Li Muyang knew that Lu Qiji was his daughter. He might be observing him and then telling him to marry his daughter——This was not impossible.

Lu Qingming looked absorbedly at Li Muyang, and it was only after a long while that he let out a sigh, “Don’t worry. Frontier soldiers drink when they’re happy because there is no entertainment in the area except for drinking and fighting. Besides, the weather is cold, if we do not drink some wine to warm the body, ordinary soldiers can not withstand the chill of winter night. I often accompany them to drink a few cups, so I have acquired a good wine tolerance.”

“Was it tough at the frontier?”

“Miserable.” Lu Qingming grinned. Such a serious matter was said in such a relaxed tone but Li Muyang did not feel relaxed at all, instead was more able to appreciate his emotions at that moment.

As the Master of the Lu clan, the Lu family’s only successor to power, if he were selfish he could have lived more comfortably or even choose the path of a civilian government official and stay in Tiandu like the younger generation of some noble families. Presumably, the Grandfather of the Lu family also could not say anything.

But he chose his father, his grandfather, and the path of countless ancestors of the Lu family.

He learned martial arts and enlisted into the army, and was often stationed in the West wind border and had to face those fierce and mighty soldiers of the enemy country.

He had to endure the coldest winds, drink the strongest wine, and kill the fiercest enemy——

Li Muyang sincerely looked to Lu Qingming, saying loudly: “Uncle Lu, what is there that I can help you to do? You know, I can do something——”

“It is Father’s birthday the day after tomorrow.”

“Huh?” Li Muyang was puzzled. What is the connection between these two matters? Or does he want him to kill somebody at the Grandfather of the Lu family’s birthday party?

“I have a favor, can——” Lu Qingming hesitated embarrassedly.

“Uncle Lu, the Lu and Li are like families, the Lu family has taken care of my family. If there is something then just let me know. I, Li Muyang will not cower back.” Li Muyang stated in a loud and clear voice. He thought it was a difficult and dangerous request, so Liu Qingming was hesitant to ask.

Lu Qingming looked at Li Muyang’s eyes and said, “Can——would you please give my father a birthday present?”

“Huh?” Li Muyang’s eyes widened. What kind of request is that?

“Please.” Lu Qingming said loudly and looked extremely serious.

Li Muyang was completely dumbfounded.

The rich and overbearing Lu family——was asking for a gift from a poor ordinary student?